Lewis County Attractions

OVERVIEW

Lewis County is a county in Washington State. The territory of the county comprises 2,436 square miles and the population of the county is a little bit more than 75,000. Lewis County was created in 1845 and originally it was named Meriwether Lewis. The county was formed out of Clark County (originally Vancouver District).

HISTORY

The history of the county began long before Robert Gray, who was the first American, who came here to explore the coastline of the state. The other white man was Captain George Vancouver, who explored the waters of Puget Sound.

In 1843 and 1844, a great number of settlers at that time began moving into this region. The earliest settlers started their farms, were engaged in logging. Lewis County has been rich in different natural resources that helped to develop the economy of the county. The Cowlitz, Chehalis and Newaukum Rivers played an important role in the development of transportation industry. Lumber and railroad companies played an important role, the opening of the Northern Pacific railroad was the main factor for the growth of the county. Many towns grew around different lumber companies.

COUNTY SEAT

County Seat of Lewis County is the town of Chehalis. The history of this town has started with the building of a warehouse near a railroad. Several houses were added later and originally this small town was called Saundersville, in honor of S.S. Saunders who had donated the land. The name of the town was changed to Chehalis in 1879 in honor of the Chehalis people, native tribe of Western Washington.

The main industries in the county seat were logging, dairying, fruit and vegetable packing, coal mining, poultry raising.

ATTRACTIONS

Recreation possibilities:

One-third of Lewis County is covered by national forest. Here you will find parts of Mt. Rainier National Park, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie and Gifford Pinchot National forest.Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams can be accessed easily. Visitors will enjoy wonderful opportunities for canoeing, cycling, hang gliding, rock climbing and etc.

Seminary Hill Natural Area

The Seminary Hill Natural Area is located in Centralia. It was established in 1981 and this territory is adjacent to the Historic Downtown Centralia. The territory of the area is 60 acres of forest, which offers wonderful opportunities to escape from the busy life.

Chehalis Recreation Park Penny Playground

Chehalis Recreation Park Penny Playground is loved by the children and grown ups. The park features wonderful and well-maintained swimming pools, fields for softball and a huge play area for kids.

Dobson-McFadden Trail

Dobson-McFadden Trail is a system of wonderful and quiet trail that wind and run through 18-acre forest in Dobson and McFadden Parks. The trailhead is located at the Scout Lodge on Adams Ave. in the Historic Hillside District.McFadden Park is a 24-acre park, and Dobson Park is a 20-acre park that offers great possibilities to explore Chehalis and the Newaukum River valley.